While the Islamic Republic of Iran is a nation most often in the news for uneasy political relations with the West, the complexities of modern Iran go far beyond Iranian leaders shaking their fists at public rallies. The Thirteenth Annual Boston Festival of Films from Iran, playing at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston until Dec. 3, seeks to explore the human side of Iranians today, allowing artists to shed light on the contemporary Iranian experience and Iranian outlooks.
The film festival appeals to a broad audience from different age groups and ethnic backgrounds in this rare showcasing of films that address political, social and economic concerns, as well as human emotions.
The genres of the films being shown range from serious melodramas to slapstick comedies, along with several recent documentaries. American audiences may be surprised at the overall look of these films which are different from American cinema in everything from camera technique, coloration and dialogue, to wardrobe, mannerisms and personal expressions of the actors. In these differences, audiences can hope to catch a glimpse of social dynamics and family relations in modern Iran.
The range of films shown at the festival demonstrates that Iranian film need not be only about nuclear reactors or the Islamic Revolution. In "When Fish Fall in Love," directed by Ali Rafiee, food provides the means to tell a story about passion. Academy Award-nominated director Majid Majidi tells in "Willow Tree" the tale of a man who regains his sight after a period of blindness, but does not experience his expected happiness. The documentary "Sounds of Silence" explores developments in Iran's underground rock and hip-hop scene.
And on the festival's opening night earlier this month, hundreds of viewers gathered at the MFA's Remis Auditorium to watch "Cease Fire," directed by Tahmineh Milani. The comedic film tells the story of a beautiful wife who uses couples counseling to deal with her husband's chauvinistic behavior towards her. The comedy of "Cease Fire" exists in the laugh-out-loud, cat-and-mouse scenarios played out in the film, but serious issues clearly underlie these amusing episodes.
Viewers of "Cease Fire" were exposed to cunning metaphors and delicate sentimentality, along with the broaching of traditionally taboo subjects, such as visiting a psychologist.
The stories at the festival are personal and telling, and some of the topics the films touch upon, such as sexual identity, break barriers both in the United States as well as in Iran, showing that Iranian cinema is pushing boundaries and taking a serious look at social and cultural conventions.
Those who attend the festival are likely to gain new perspectives not only into the cultures of Iran, but also into human experiences lived in a different nation.
- Bing Bing Wang and Julie Schindall
